Apparatus for an electric toothbrush cover

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for an electric toothbrush cover includes a lower portion having a cavity configured to enclose a back of a head of the electric toothbrush and at least a portion of a back of a neck of the electric toothbrush. An upper portion has a cavity configured for enclosing a front of the head and bristles of the electric toothbrush, and at least a portion of a front of the neck of the electric toothbrush. A hinge joins the lower portion to the upper portion for allowing the lower portion and the upper portion to open and close about the electric toothbrush. A means retains the lower portion and the upper portion in a closed position about the electric toothbrush where the joined lower portion and upper portion enclose the head and bristles of the electric toothbrush and at least a portion of the neck of the electric toothbrush.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present Utility patent application claims priority benefit of the U.S. provisional application for patent Ser. No. 61/044,936 filed on Apr. 15, 2008 under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). The contents of this related provisional application are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to toothbrushes. More particularly, the invention relates to electric toothbrush covers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People who travel with an electric toothbrush may use any of a variety of methods to cover the bristles of the brush in an attempt to keep it clean. Most of these methods cover the bristles of the brush or the entire brush prior to packing the brush in an attempt to preserve its sanitary nature. However, without effective coverage, the user is not guaranteed a clean brush. It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide effective means for covering an electric toothbrush.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for improved techniques for providing a cover for an electric toothbrush that effectively covers the toothbrush and keeps the toothbrush clean.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of two exemplary toothbrush covers, including a full cover and a bristle cover, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrammatic perspective views of an exemplary bristle cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A shows the bristle cover on an electric toothbrush, and FIG. 2B shows the bristle cover in an opened position; and

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an exemplary full cover in use, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the forgoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, an apparatus for an electric toothbrush cover is presented.

In one embodiment, an apparatus for an electric toothbrush cover is presented. The apparatus includes a lower portion having a cavity configured to enclose a back of a head of the electric toothbrush and at least a portion of a back of a neck of the electric toothbrush. An upper portion, joinable to the lower portion, has a cavity configured to enclose a front of the head and bristles of the electric toothbrush and at least a portion of a front of the neck of the electric toothbrush where the joined lower portion and upper portion enclose the head and bristles of the electric toothbrush and at least a portion of the neck of the electric toothbrush.

In another embodiment an apparatus for an electric toothbrush cover is presented. The apparatus includes lower means for enclosing a back of a head of the electric toothbrush and at least a portion of a back of a neck of the electric toothbrush. Upper means joinable to the lower means encloses a front of the head and bristles of the electric toothbrush and at least a portion of a front of the neck of the electric toothbrush where the joined lower means and upper means enclose the head and bristles of the electric toothbrush and at least a portion of the neck of the electric toothbrush.

In another embodiment an apparatus for an electric toothbrush cover is presented. The apparatus includes a lower portion having a cavity configured to enclose a back of a head of the electric toothbrush and at least a portion of a back of a neck of the electric toothbrush. An upper portion, joinable to the lower portion, has a cavity configured with a first portion having a first depth for enclosing a front of the head and bristles of the electric toothbrush, and a second portion having a second depth less than the first depth for enclosing at least a portion of a front of the neck of the electric toothbrush. A hinge joins a top end portion of the lower portion and a top end portion of the upper portion for allowing the lower portion and the upper portion to rotate about the hinge to open and close about the electric toothbrush. Means retains the lower portion and the upper portion in a closed position about the electric toothbrush where the joined lower portion and upper portion enclose the head and bristles of the electric toothbrush and at least a portion of the neck of the electric toothbrush and the lower portion and the upper portion are secured over the electric toothbrush.

Other features, advantages, and object of the present invention will become more apparent and be more readily understood from the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions or particular construction materials indicated herein are solely provided as examples of suitable configurations and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Depending on the needs of the particular application, those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of the following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternative implementation details.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a toothbrush cover to present users with a sanitary method for protecting an electric toothbrush. Preferred embodiments secure over an electric toothbrush to keep the toothbrush safe and clean during storage and transport. Specifically, preferred embodiments protect the bristles of the toothbrush, which enter the mouth, from dirt and germs by covering at least the head of the toothbrush to maintain the sanitary nature of the bristles. Preferred embodiments may tightly close over the head of the toothbrush or over the entire toothbrush. The dimensions of the covers in preferred embodiments vary depending on the make and model of the toothbrushes they are to cover. Preferred embodiments may be implemented to be disposable or to be reusable.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of two exemplary toothbrush covers, including a full cover 101 and a bristle cover 103, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Bristle cover 103 fits over the head of a toothbrush to cover the bristles of the toothbrush as shown by way of example in FIG. 2A. Full cover 101 fits over the entire toothbrush, enclosing it completely, as shown by way of example in FIG. 3. Covers such as, but not limited to, full cover 101 and bristle cover 103 can be made to be used with electric toothbrushes of virtually any size. Full cover 101 and bristle cover 103 are preferably made from a durable material such as, but not limited to, plastic. Full cover 101 and bristle cover 103 may be opened, closed, and secured.

In the present embodiment, full cover 101 and bristle cover 103 may be used to protect toothbrushes from dirt and germs while being transported, for example, without limitation, while in a suitcase. However, full cover 101 and bristle cover 103 may also be used in the home to protect the bristles and other parts of toothbrushes from dirt and germs that may be in the air or dispersed in the direction of the toothbrushes by users. Full cover 101 and bristle cover 103 can therefore provide complete protection against dirt and germs when the toothbrushes are not in use.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrammatic perspective views of an exemplary bristle cover 201, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A shows bristle cover 201 on an electric toothbrush 203, and FIG. 2B shows bristle cover 201 in an opened position. In the present embodiment, bristle cover 201 comprises an opening 207 at the base that is large enough to close over a neck 209 of electric toothbrush 203 to cover the head of electric toothbrush 203. The sizing of opening 207 varies with the design of the toothbrush being covered. Necks of electric toothbrushes are typically larger than necks of manual toothbrushes. A hinge 211 at the top of bristle cover 201 enables an upper portion 213 to be separated from a lower portion 215 to open bristle cover 201, as shown by way of example in FIG. 2B.

In typical use of the present embodiment, a user simply applies bristle cover 201 to toothbrush 203 in the opened position with the bristles of toothbrush 203 inserted into upper portion 213 of bristle cover 201 and closes bristle cover 201 securely around neck 209 of toothbrush 203 to protect this portion of toothbrush 203 from germs and other dirt. In the present embodiment, bristle cover 201 is disposable and can be removed and thrown away when the user is ready to use toothbrush 203. However, in alternate embodiments bristle covers may be reusable and are not thrown away when taken off of the toothbrush.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an exemplary full cover 301 in use, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, full cover 301 covers the electric toothbrush in its entirety. Full cover 301 comprises an upper portion 303 and a lower portion 305, which enclose the body of the toothbrush, and a hinge 307. Hinge 307 enables upper portion 303 to be separated from lower portion 305 to open full cover 301. In typical use of the present embodiment, an electric toothbrush is inserted into full cover 301 in an open position with the bristles of the toothbrush being inserted into upper portion 303. Then, lower portion 305 is matched up with upper portion 303 and full cover 301 is snapped closed. Full cover 301 may be made to be disposable or reusable. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will readily recognize that the bodies of electric toothbrushes vary depending on the make and model, and full covers in alternate embodiments may have different dimensions and shapes.

In an alternate embodiment, a full cover may be provided that has a top portion that covers the head of an electric toothbrush and a bottom portion that covers the base of the toothbrush. In this embodiment the bottom of the top portion fits into the top of the bottom portion or vice versa to encase the entire body of the electric toothbrush. The portions of the cover are opened and closed by pushing them together or pulling them apart.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of providing means for covering an electric toothbrush according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention has been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. For example, the particular implementation of the electric toothbrush cover may vary depending upon the particular type of attachment means used to connect the portions of the cover. The attachment means described in the foregoing were directed to hinged implementations; however, similar techniques are to make the portions two separate pieces without a hinge that snap or slide together. Non-hinged implementations of the present invention are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claim elements and steps herein have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. As such, the numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims. 

1. An apparatus for an electric toothbrush cover, the apparatus comprising: a lower portion having a cavity configured to enclose a back of a head of the electric toothbrush and at least a portion of a back of a neck of the electric toothbrush; and an upper portion, joinable to said lower portion, having a cavity configured to enclose a front of the head and bristles of the electric toothbrush and at least a portion of a front of the neck of the electric toothbrush where the joined lower portion and upper portion enclose the head and bristles of the electric toothbrush and at least a portion of the neck of the electric toothbrush.
 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a hinge joining a top portion of said lower portion and a top portion of said upper portion for allowing said lower portion and said upper portion to be opened and closed about the electric toothbrush.
 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for retaining said lower portion and said upper portion in a closed position about the electric toothbrush.
 4. The apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said retaining means functions to snap said lower portion and said upper portion closed.
 5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said upper portion and said lower portion are further configured to enclose the body of the electric toothbrush where the joined lower portion and upper portion enclose the entire electric toothbrush.
 6. An apparatus for an electric toothbrush cover, the apparatus comprising: lower means for enclosing a back of a head of the electric toothbrush and at least a portion of a back of a neck of the electric toothbrush; and upper means joinable to said lower means for enclosing a front of the head and bristles of the electric toothbrush and at least a portion of a front of the neck of the electric toothbrush where the joined lower means and upper means enclose the head and bristles of the electric toothbrush and at least a portion of the neck of the electric toothbrush.
 7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6, further comprising means for joining said lower means and said upper means for allowing said lower means and said upper means to be opened and closed about the electric toothbrush.
 8. The apparatus as recited in claim 6, further comprising means for retaining said lower means and said upper means in a closed position about the electric toothbrush.
 9. An apparatus for an electric toothbrush cover, the apparatus comprising: a lower portion having a cavity configured to enclose a back of a head of the electric toothbrush and at least a portion of a back of a neck of the electric toothbrush; an upper portion, joinable to said lower portion, having a cavity configured with a first portion having a first depth for enclosing a front of the head and bristles of the electric toothbrush, and a second portion having a second depth less than said first depth for enclosing at least a portion of a front of the neck of the electric toothbrush; a hinge joining a top end portion of said lower portion and a top end portion of said upper portion for allowing said lower portion and said upper portion to rotate about said hinge to open and close about the electric toothbrush; and means for retaining said lower portion and said upper portion in a closed position about the electric toothbrush where the joined lower portion and upper portion enclose the head and bristles of the electric toothbrush and at least a portion of the neck of the electric toothbrush and said lower portion and said upper portion are secured over the electric toothbrush.
 10. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said retaining means functions to snap said lower portion and said upper portion closed.
 11. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said upper portion and said lower portion are further configured to enclose the body of the electric toothbrush where the joined lower portion and upper portion enclose the entire electric toothbrush. 